Merry Christmas from John Chesnut

john chesnut · #1 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 02:46 PM

Hello everyone, It's been along time since I've logged on. I moved from my long time New Hampshire home and nice shop, into my retirement home in the Adirondacks of New York. As some of you know I had to quit, or at least, take a break from the car business because of health reasons. I am dealing with those, but can hardly walk at this point.
Congress has also tried to kill my main business, which is making childrens coin banks, www.bigbellybanks.com. Along with the economic slow down they passed new regulations that cost me about $180,000 every 15 months!!
They will kill off all remaining US manufacturing with their good intended, but misguided laws.
I have only been able to drive my Cobra a few times this year. The last time was a week ago in a light snow with out the top on. I had to stop for gloves and a hat to make it home. But, it was worth it. It is put away for the winter now and I am looking forward to spring.
I have about a weeks worth of work left to have my new Dragon on the road. I hope to have this done over the winter.
I wish you all a blessed Christmas and New Year. Now that the move is complete and the holiday selling season is over, I hope to be on the forum more.
John

bmwdb10 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 02:54 PM

Hey John,

Sorry to hear you are still under it so to speak. Wishing you a speedy recovery and back on the road soon! I was looking for you at our Windmill Breakfast on Sat. Sorry you have moved from NH. We'll miss your input, pics and stories! Happy Holidays!!

dlampe · #3 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 03:26 PM

John,
It's so good to here from you. I am glad to here you are feeling better. I share your frustrations with our law makers, but Merry Christmas all the same.

I guess when you ask for change, you better be damn specific!

1985 CCX · #4 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 04:27 PM

Sorry to hear you have moved...........

Miss having you with the group, we hope 2010 is a great year for you.

Jeff

Buzz · #5 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 05:06 PM

Good to hear from you John. Merry Christmas, get well soon and all the best with the business.

COBRA427 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 06:37 PM

Merry Christmas John,

I hope you're feeling better.

Could you elaborate more about the $180,000 every 15 months?

D&M2 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 06:40 PM

Hi John,

We miss having you at the breakfasts and hope that 2010 is a better year for you and your business.

Merry Christmas and the best of new years.

Mike & Donna

john chesnut · #8 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 08:57 PM

Thanks for the good wishes. I enjoyed the having breakfast with you New England guys and was looking forward to participating in drives/events with my cars. Thanks for welcoming me with open arms. Who knows I might still show up some day or maybe you guys can make a run up to Lake Placid!
About the bank business. A few years ago alot of toys came into the country from China that were contaminated with lead. Congress passed sweeping new lead standards that requires lead testing for every product manufactured for kids. The old standard was 600 parts per million. The new standard, in effect in August was a drop to 300 parts per million. The manufacturer is required to use a government approved lab. The only exceptions were the major toy manufacturers who can do testing in house. The major offenders were those same companies.
The manufacturer has to provide certificates of compliance. The retailers were given 60 days notice to sell all existing inventory. After the 60 days the sale of such would be illegal. Alot of stores simply closed up as they could not sell their inventory in 60 days. With out that income they couldn't replace it. Alot of the stores went out of business with out paying for the product they had in their stores.
The cost for the testing, the last time I did it, was $2900. I have over 60 designs of banks. So, the cost to comply is almost $180,000. These tests have to be repeated every 15 months.
The result of these requirments are the elimination of the small US manufacturer.
I argue that the requirments should be on the raw materials, not the end product. I use 8 basic paints for all of my designs. The raw materials are the same regardless of the design. I use only US manufactured paints. These have been lead free since 1977. The paint manufacturer already has to certify the paint. My banks tested at 3 parts per million.
No one wants unsafe products around children. But, there needs to be some common sense as to scale and costs. A few thousand dollars to a manufacturer that produces milliions of an item is not a big expense. But that same burden on a low volume, specialty manufacturer is crippling.

RICK LAKE · #9 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 04:17 AM

John Chesnut, Tryed calling, you are not home. Merry Christmas. send private e-mail. Rick L.

john chesnut · #10 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 09:52 AM

Merry Christmas Rick, Here is my contact info, 603-504-4106, jmcbigbelly@yahoo.com.

Fordzilla · #11 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 10:04 AM

John, Merry Christmas!

madmaxx · #12 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 02:29 PM

It cost $2900 to test one bank or $2900 to test 300 banks? Holy sheet, I need to get into the lead testing business.

Merry Christmas!!!

HAPPY SNAKE · #13 (**permalink**) 12-31-2009, 06:17 AM

John,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Hey, you are still close enough to the New England gang for the spring/ summer activities. Be safe.

-Steve